The Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass is North America’s premier large brass ensemble. Through its frequently rotating collective of associate artists, the Philadelphia Big Brass reflects the diverse makeup of musicians in American culture and the notion that music is a gift to be enjoyed by everyone. The group is also rooted, naturally, in the Marsalis family philosophy and New Orleans streets tradition of breaking boundaries between genres and striving to cultivate connections between audiences and musicians.

Rodney Marsalis himself began taking classical trumpet lessons with his cousin, Wynton, at age 11; by age 15 had debuted with the New Orleans Symphony as a soloist; and at age 19 gained national attention playing with the Boston Pops. After holding chairs in the Barcelona, Colorado, New Orleans, Richmond, San Diego, and Tenerife, Symphonies, he became principal trumpet of the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, a position he continues to hold while leading the Philadelphia Big Brass and giving master classes at conservatories and competitions across the US.

Performances by The Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass range from solo trumpet, to brass quintet, to a full eleven-piece ensemble with percussion, featuring repertoire as large-scale as traditional brass chorales with organ or choir and as casual as introductory mini-concerts for schools, as well as holiday concerts. For their first performance at Ravinia, Marsalis and the Philadelphia Big Brass bring a variety of spirited music for winter celebration, from Tchaikovsky, Bach, and Handel classics to energetic pop and film favorites to traditional carol songs and sing-alongs.

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